deep waters

When Overwhelmed Look Up

9:00 AM



"But I pray to you, Lord, in an acceptable time; in your great love and mercy, O God, answer me with your sure salvation. Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters. Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up" - Psalm 69:13-15a

The phrase, " in an acceptable time" grabbed my attention today.  David is very aware of what’s going on.  He senses the rising tide around him.  The floodwaters of trouble are beginning to engulf him and he feels like he’s being swallowed up.  Can you think of a time in your life where you felt like David does here? I can, and David offers us a lifeline, sort of speak, for in the midst of his troubles, David stops and takes the opportunity to renew his commitment to the Lord once more, and so should we.

I remember as a new Christian this desire to run out ahead of God, not that I still don't do that today at times, but it was definitely a more prevalent trait as a new Christian. Just as soon as I got what I thought was a perfect idea, I took off and ran with it! And God would let me go as though He was waiting for me to spend all my energy...grow weary...fall on my face, for only then I'd look up! Only then, was I ready to sit quietly and listen to God's plan. 

I honestly can't count the times God picked me up, brushed me off and set me on my feet once more so that then we could do it together. I sense this is what is happening here with David. 

"In your great love and mercy, O God, answer me", 

David appeals to the rich mercy of God. Where would we be without His mercy and love? And how blessed are we that we can appeal to these incredible attributes at any time and know that He will hear us and show us His mercy?  O beloved, I pray we never take that for granted.

For with misery, no attribute is more sweet than mercy, and when coming under attack, the multitude of mercy is a treasure. 

"With your sure salvation."

Beloved, here's the key! Our salvation that was paid for by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and given to us freely as a gift is not factitious, nor a changeable thing- here today and gone tomorrow, but SURE, dependable, steady; the rock in which to stand firm on! 

As I meditated on these verses I began to see that God is using these to teach us the art of wrestling in prayer; of taking hold of what we are sure of and setting them before our Father when we and our flesh and abilities are exhausted. 

I'd love to know your thoughts.

Blessings, 
sue

Envy

Green with Envy {Proverbs 23}

12:30 AM

Tuesday, June 19, 2018


I don’t think you are intentionally envious.  But every now and then, you notice someone with new clothes or a new car or a new house, and you are caught off guard and find yourself with an envious comment on your lips or in your heart.  Or perhaps, you look at the successes and financial gain of others, and yet, you can’t seem to get ahead, and so you wonder why God would bless so-and-so, and not you.

Envy is just an illusion though.  Just look at what Satan did in the Garden; he continues to tempt people into not delighting in what God has given us, but to look at what He withheld.

 Image result for proverbs 23:17


We are not to envy sinners – those who do not know the Lord.  They have no regard for Him and see no need for Him.  This verse helps to alert us to the fact that our hearts are prone to look for pleasure in what others possess rather than what God has provided.

Envy is dangerous.  It is a temptation that calls us to point our finger at God and say, “what you have given me is not good enough.”  It calls us to entertain ways to get what others have.  To lie, cheat, steal, use others – and disregard God.  Envy is a bold sin.  And unfortunately, none of us are immune to it.  What is it that you envy in others?  Ask God to search your heart so that you might see it plainly.

There is a remedy for envy.  It’s not something new.  “…always continue to fear the Lord.”  If discontentment breeds displeasure with God, then the fear of God frees us to delight in Him.  Our posture cannot be looking over the fence at what God has given others, but rather we should be looking up at Him.   When we see the holiness of God, envy loses its power.  Envy of what others have is eliminated when we believe that God is the greatest treasure.